MLB Players Who Could Win Comeback Player of the Year in 2017
By Anthony Sosa
AL – Mike Moustakas
The 2015 Kansas City Royals team had some of the most exciting and talented rising stars in baseball. One of those stars was Mike Moustakas. He played a vital role in their 2015 championship.
Coming off an All-Star 2015 campaign, where Moustakas hit .284, belted 22 home runs and knocked in 82 runs, the third baseman looked ready to get back to where he left off and try to help the Royals defend their title.
Unfortunately, just 27 games into the 2016 season, Moustakas tore his ACL in a collision with teammate Alex Gordon. The injury effectively ended his sixth season in the league. The Royals failed to make the playoffs in 2016, in large part due to the Moustakas injury. The Royals produced the 28th ranked fWAR (Fangraphs wins above replacement) in 2016.
Moustakas should return for Spring Training in 2017. If he returns to his 2015 form, it’ll be hard for voters to vote against him for the Comeback Player of the Year award. Especially if the Royals win the AL Central.